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Assignment #6

In Rich’s article of “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence”, she discussed the idea of people think heterosexuality was the only relationship between men and women, and it was consider the “nature” and “normal”. In fact, heterosexuality is most common sexuality in the society, but there still other sexuality existed in the history such as homosexuality. In the society of heterosexuality, the situation of compulsory heterosexuality and the lack of the history of lesbian existence forced women to be heterosexual even if they were not.

She first argued the society of compulsory heterosexuality with the theory of Kathleen Gough. In Gough’s theory, she shows the sexual inequality between men and women, men have power to control women and children like abortion. Women were suffered from the sadistic heterosexuality. Under this condition, institutionalization of heterosexuality happens through the economy, women were gets lower paid compared with men. The inequality between men and women force women to rely on men since they didn’t have enough incomes to support themselves. In addition, if possible, women will get sexual harassment from men to get the job. For lesbian, the probability to get the job was lower.

Another institutionalization of heterosexuality is the ignore of lesbian existence cause people to believe there is only type of sexuality which is heterosexuality, and it is the only way to having a sexuality. In that time, lesbian would be forced to play the role as the heterosexual women.

Also, the institutionalization of heterosexuality happens through the media. The media forced people to have the idea that only heterosexual is the ideal sexuality, and that’s the way they need to live with. They consider this as the ‘right’ and ‘normal’ way for men and women to be together, otherwise it will be told as not normal.